Mat for mounting tile and the like



ApriE 19, 1938 l c. D. HoLcoMB EJMJW MAT FOR MOUNTING TILE AND THE YLIKE Filed oct. 2S, 193e D. HoLcoMB A TE 5 4/ INVENTUR ATTORNEY' Patented Apr. 19, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in tile construction and has particular relation to improvements in means for mounting blocks of tile, rubber, wood, glass or other suitable material on a wall, floor or other surface to form a permanent covering therefor.

The use of tile as a floor or wall covering is very desirable, particularly in bathrooms. While tile can be manufactured at a low cost the process of mounting such covering is slow and requires the services of an expert workman. This results in a cost which greatly restricts the use of tile for this purpose.

Objects of the invention are to pro-vide a tile construction of attractive appearance which can be quickly and accurately laid by an ordinary workman and which will provide a strong, durable construction at a low cost.

Other objects are to provide a material which can be nailed, glued or otherwise secured to the floor, wall or other surface and which will be provided on the outwardly presented face thereof with integrally formed styles corresponding to joints between the tiles and forming sockets each adapted to snugly receive and hold the tile.

A further object is to provide a method and means for mounting tile which will securely hold the same in place and which can be used to mount smooth, imperforate blocks constructed of glass, rubber or any material which cannot be securely held in place inrtile structures of ordinary construction.

The above objects are accomplished and additional ends are attained by the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown a preferred form of the invention, it being understood that changes and modifications may be made or resort had to substitutions which come within the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a plan view of a portion of a mat employed iny my improved tile construction,

Figure 2 is a similar view showing tile operatively mounted therein,

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken as indicated by the lines 3 3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the tiles or blocks constructed in accordance with this invention,

Figure 5 is a vertical, sectional view of a wall construction taken as indicated by the lines 5 5 of Figure 2.

In the particular adaptation of the invention (Cl. 'l2-24) illustrated, there is shown a mat 6 which is preferably formed of rubber, rubber composition or other similar material and which is provided on the forward face thereof with integrally formed stiles 9 and I0. The stiles 9 are arranged in 5 parallel, spaced relation to extend across the mat in one direction and the stiles I0 are likewise arranged transversely of the stiles 9. The stiles 9 and I9 are preferably rectangular in cross sectional shape and are arranged with the outwardly presented faces thereof disposed in the same plane. The stiles 9 and l0 thus fo-rm a plurality of sockets 1, each adapted to snugly receive a block 8, which when positioned therein will be disposed with its forward face substantially flush with the forward face of the Stiles 9 and I0.

The mat 6 including the rear wall 6a and the stiles 9 and I0 are preferably composed of elastic rubber whereby a block 8 may be forced into each socket 'l and will be retained therein by the 20 elasticity of said stiles. When the back wall 6a of the mat 6 is formed of relatively stiff material, it is provided within each socket 'I with a plurality of openings Il for a purpose presently to appeal'.

In Figure 5 there is shown a wall construction in which the numeral lli denotes a studding and the numeral I3 sheathing which is secured to the studding I4 in the ordinary manner. A mat 6 is positioned against the sheathing with the Stiles Sand IU positioned outwardly and nails or other fastening means I 2 are entered through the openings Il and driven into the sheathing I3 thus securely mounting the mat 6 on the sheathing I 3.

While blocks 8 composed of any material will be retained in the sockets l, I prefer to use suitable adhesive which is applied to the walls of each socket 'l for the purpose of positively retaining the blocks therein. The blocks 8 are preferably formed to t in the sockets 'l flush with the outer faces of the stiles 9 and Ill.

While the mat 6 and the stiles 9 have been described as preferably formed of elastic rubber, it is understood that the mat is in a fully vulcanized or finished form before it is secured to a wall or other supporting structure and before the blocks 8 are inserted in the sockets 1.

It will be seen that the outwardly presented faces of the stiles 9 and I9 will have the appearance of mortar joints and that such joints will be of uniform thickness. It will also be seen that the walls of each socket l will form a cushion which will protect the blocks 8 against breakage. As the stiles 9 and I0 are composed of elastic rubber, blocks 8 varying slightly in size may be used.

Having thus illustrated and described a preferred form of the invention, what I claim as new 5 and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

In a tile construction, a mat of completely vulcanized elastic rubber having a plurality of cavities on the outer face thereof, each of said cavities adapted to receive and hold a block which when forced therein will be held in place by the elasticity of said Stiles.

CORA D. HOLCOMIB. 

